[Dave B.]

OK, I'll give this one a shot.
1. I'm 63, a retired accountant/analyst, male and live in rural southern Ohio.
2. Benefits? Negatives? This isn't a question that applies to Alfas. In general, though, the cars have superior handling and performance (for their engine size). Alfas have never been 'mainstream' and the company's designers seem to understand this and build cars for what is primarily a niche market (Alfasuds notwithstanding). Negatives? Alfas (again in general) rust easily and require careful maintenance.
3. Alfa seems to have fun with its ads. The passion for driving always shows through.
4. Finding the right older Alfa is a waiting game. It's not like looking for a Porsche. The forums are the key.
5. Top 5/least 5? Please! This isn't a question I can answer. How big? How small? Used for what? Keep how long?
6. I've owned one Alfa (a 105 series Giulietta - sold it many years ago) but have been around them, driven friends' cars and read about them for the last 50 years. Lovely cars, wonderful to drive, but buying another one is not in my plans at the moment.
7. "The Romance of Performance" - I didn't realize that this was an Alfa tag-line, but it's a nice advertising ploy. Sorry, I don't pay much attention to the words cranked out by advertising flaks.
8. All sorts of people are likely to buy an Alfa - once. Repeat buyers are those who appreciate a car designed for the driver. These repeat buyers aren't put off by the cars' idiosyncrasies and maintenance requirements.
9. When I'm looking at new cars, I like to do my own research. Once I've narrowed down the field, I like talking to people who have actually owned the cars for an extended period.
10. Italy - I think of sunshine, passionate people, history that goes back beyond the Romans and car makers willing to build for markets that number in the hundreds or even dozens instead of millions.
11. Hope this helps!
Dave B.